Members of the Lucchese crime family have pleaded guilty to charges of running an illegal gambling operation in New Jersey. A total of eight individuals admitted to their involvement in the criminal enterprise that ran illegal poker games, a sportsbook, and gaming rooms.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced the pleas on Tuesday, bringing the total to 27 others who have already pleaded guilty in the case. New Jersey Councilman Anand Shah, who was indicted alongside the mafia family members, pleaded not guilty to his involvement last October. He then won reelection in November.
Mafia Members Take Plea Deals
A total of 42 individuals have been indicted in the case, and the latest guilty pleas include the men who allegedly orchestrated the operation.
Prosecutors say George J. Zappola headed the crime syndicate, supported by Joseph R. Perna and John G. Perna. All three are accused of being members of the Lucchese crime family, and prosecutors have recommended prison sentences of seven years.
Others who entered guilty pleas include Wayne D. Cross, Michael P. Frasso, Frank Imparato, Joseph Gossweiler, and Peter Norcia. Prosecutors recommended a 15-year sentence for Frasso after he pleaded guilty to racketeering, tax evasion, and corporate misconduct. Others have been recommended sentences between one and five years.
In addition to the individual pleas, three businesses were fined $250,000 for their involvement in the scheme: Cafe Gio, Frasso Trucking, and CJW Development and Consulting. All three had been used to conceal proceeds from the illegal operations, say state authorities.
Agents in the sportsbook side of the business allegedly created accounts on sports gambling websites based in foreign countries. Agents managed “packages” (groups of bettors), collecting their debts and passing a percentage of the proceeds up the chain of command.
New Jersey Dismantling Lucchese Crime Family
“The guilty pleas we accepted today represent another important step in dismantling this criminal enterprise and holding the individuals involved accountable,” said Davenport in a press release. “Organized crime has no place in New Jersey. For decades, the Attorney General’s Office has been a leader in rooting out organized crime in New Jersey, and we continue to play that important role to keep New Jersey safe.”
The operation allegedly generated $4.79 million in revenue. A separate indictment alleges that other members of the Lucchese family offered illegal sports betting on college campuses in New Jersey.
Joseph M. Perna, the cousin of Joseph R. Perna, is accused of spearheading the operation along with his son, also named Joseph R. Perna. The younger Perna recruited student athletes at several colleges to act as agents, taking bets from other college students. Prosecutors say this business generated over $2 million in profits.
As well as the indictments against the Lucchese family, one of New York’s famous five mafia families, prosecutors have also targeted the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese families.
Members and associates of the families were indicted along with NBA coach Chauncey Billups and former player Damon Jones, who allegedly participated in rigged poker games. One of those indicted, Seth Trustman, was also identified as an associate of the Lucchese family.
Councilman Reelected Despite Charges
Councilman Shah is accused of being Frasso’s partner in the sportsbook operation and faces 18 charges that carry a maximum prison sentence of 150 years.
He was arrested in April last year, along with others in the case, and spent seven weeks in Morris County Jail until the Superior Court authorized his release.
He maintains his innocence in the case. After entering his not guilty plea on all counts in October, his attorney, Michael DeMarco, stated, “We’re fully confident in the legal process and in Mr. Shah’s ability to demonstrate his innocence. We’ll vigorously defend him and ensure that all facts are fairly considered in court.”
He then won reelection as a Prospect Park, New Jersey, councilman for another three-year term in November.
“My focus remains on continuing the work that I have always done,” Shah said. “Serving the people of Prospect Park with transparency, accountability, and heart.”
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